Thread advancing reel



June 15, 1954 T. s. MAYNER 2,681,140

THREAD ADVANCING REEL Filed March 21, 1949 ll IO 7/10/1443 5. MAYA/ER WW W Patented June 15, 1954 THREAD ADVANCING REEL Thomas S. Mayner, Willoughby, Ohio, assignor' to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporationlof Delaware ApplicationuMarch 21, 1949, Serial No. 82,645

7 Claims.

This invention relates to thread-advancing reels, and more particularly to reels adapted to advance thread and, the like in the form of a eneral helix.

In the manufacture of thread, yarn and the like it is advantageous to utilize a unitary thread ad vancing device capable of storing and advancing thread in a plurality of generally helical turns. Then, while the store of yarn is advanced a treatment or a plurality of treatments can'be applied. Such reels are useful in continuous spinning processes since a plurality of them can be positioned in a manner so that a desirable sequence of processing steps can be made.

Various, types of reels are utilized in continuous spinning processes. Some operate upon the principle where one of two reel members rotatesabout an axis that is eccentric to the other. In such reels the eccentric set of bar members'is actuated in a generally forward direction relative the other set of bars to eifect an advance of the thread or yarn. Other reels use a screw thread type of periphery; and still others comprise olfset and askew rollers.

The reel of this invention is a compact unit that advantageously utilizes two sets of bar members that are equidistant from a common axis. The plurality ofbar members that comprise each set'are circumferentially spaced about the common axis at substantially equal radii. One of the sets of bar members advantageously is skewed Q to the other set; and since the bar members of the one set are interleavedwith the bar members of the other set the skewed relationship between the two will cause thread and the like to advance longitudinally of the reel in the form of a general helix.

The reel of this invention will be further described in the following specification and in the accompanying drawing where:

Figure 1 represents a plan view of the reel;

Figure 2 represents a sectional view of the reel along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the reel I along lines 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view'ofthe driving arrangement forv the reel bar members along lines 4-4 of Figure 3.

Generally, as shown in Figure 1 the reel comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced bar members l0 and II supported in end supports I2, [3. The bar members H), II comprise the reel, periphery and they rotate about a common axis. The end supports l2, l3 are concentrically mounted about a reel shaft 19 that is adapted to be driven by a gear 22 positioned at the end of; the shaft I9 and securedthereto by a set-screw 23. Each barmember I0 and bar member II is individually rotated and each ispart of a set, that is, the bar members H) are all parallel to the reel shaft Ill while the bar members Il-are positionedaskew and alternatelywith the parallel bar members, or at an angle in a horizontal plane to the reel shaft It. By being alternately positioned the askew and-parallel bar members, upon rotation, efiect a displacement of a thread from barto bar to advance it over the reel periphery in a general helix. The travel of thread overthe reel, because ofthe concentric and askew bar members, is gradual and more readilycontrollable since only the position of one group of bars isadjustable. Displacement of threadis; efiected only when the thread is transferred from a concentric to an askew bar member, and by controlling the askew angle of the bar members H a very close pitch can be maintained which is advantageous for economically treating the thread, since a close pitch will permit theformation of a fluid blanket and thus substantial thread coverage. Should all the reel members be angularly positioned relative to the reel axis in a plane parallel thereto then thedisplacement of thread for each revolution would be substantial for there would be an advance from bar member'to bar member. 7 a

The askew relation between the bar members I'll and H is more aptly shown in Figure 2. All of the bar members comprising the reel are substantially equidistantly positioned about the common shaft I9 and, also, the bar members II are angularly positioned to assume an askew relation with the parallel bars [0. The askew relation will cause a thread on the reel, when the bar members are rotated, to advance in a pluralityof helical turns, longitudinally of the reel. The askew relation effects a displacement; of the thread from bar member to bar member over the reel circumference.

lhe end supports [2, l3 contain the necessary bearings and drivinggears for the bar members. The support l3 comprises a housing that is adapted to rotate about the reel supporting sleeve 20. In the housing [3' there are positioned a plurality of driving gears 25, 26, 21'. The sun gear 2"! is positioned about the reel shaft l9 and it is supported by the radially positioned longitudinally extending members I? which forma part of;

the supporting sleeve 20. Recesses l8, in the sun gear 2? are provided for the extending members 11. The sun gear. 2 1 is thus held stationary by the members I! while the shaft section 43 is adapted to rotate in a bushing 35 in the sun gear and about the shaft. The bushing is maintained in position by the collar 28 secured to the reel shaft 43. About the sun gear 21 there are positioned, in a meshing relation, a plurality of intermediate power transmitting gears 26. The gears 26 are supported in a ring I5 by threaded stud shafts 29, and the ring I5 is fixed to the housing I3 by means of a collar I4 and screws I6 that extend through the collar I5 and into the housing I3. Further, the gears 26 are in driving contact with the bar member driving gears 25. The bar driving gears are positioned about the ends of the bar members Ill and II and they are secured to the bar ends by means of set screws 2 Thus, when the reel shaft I9 is rotated reaction stationary gear 21 will cause the rotation of gears 26 and gears 25 to drive the bar members ID and II.

There is provided, further, a jaw clutch generally comprised of jaws 30, 32 and coupling 3! within the housing I3 and about the split ends of the shaft I9 and secured to each shaft end by a suitable means such as, for instance, set screws.

As shown in the drawing the shaft section 43 is joined to the inner bar supporting section 45. This inner shaft section is, of course, a continuation of the shaft I9 being connected by the jaw clutch. The jaw clutch advantageously permits a quick assembly or disassembly of the reel within the housing I3. Also, the housing I3 terminates at one end in a hub rotating about the reel supporting sleeve 26 having a flange which can be positioned in the face of a machine, if desired. The housing I3 is maintained on the sleeve 29 by means of a ring or collar 2|, and the sleeve 20 is maintained against displacement by the collar 33 and set screw 34. In a somewhat similar manner the driving gear 22 is fastened to the shaft I9. A set screw 23 is threaded through the hub of the gear into the reel shaft. Then, when the reel driving gear 22 is rotated the reel is also rotated and the bar members I0 and I I turn in the opposite direction about their own axes to the direction of the reel. If thread is applied to the bars I0, II it will advance lengthwise of the reel in a plurality of generally helical turns.

As shown in Figure 3 the entire reel is driven. Thread may be also advanced by driving the bar members only. The askew relation between the bars will cause thread to be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the reel.

The askew relationship between the bar members I0 and II advantageously may be adjusted and the pitch of the turns of thread regulated by a circular adjustment of one set of the bar members. In the reel of Figure 3 the bar members ID are fixed in position and rotate in sleeve bearings positioned in the concentric supporting section 44 of the end support I2. The end support is comprised of two sections M, 45. Of these two, section 44 is desirably fixed to the reel shaft I9. Further, the bar members ID are supported by this section and in the housing I3 so as to be concentric and parallel to the reel shaft.

The askew bar members I I extend through the section 44 into an adjacent supporting section 45 which is adapted to be rotated relative to the section 44 about a threaded pivot 48. The bar members II are supported in the section 45 and in the collar I5 of the housing I3 in adjustable bearings 4|. Since section 45 is adapted to be moved relative to the section 44 the bars II can also be moved and their positions fixed by the 4 adjusting pivot clamp screw 48. The askew relationship between the reel bar members I0 and I I can thus be readily altered to suit desired conditions. Through such an adjustment the travel of thread can be regulated to whatever spacing is desirable.

I claim:

1. A thread advancing reel comprising a plurality of end supported rotating bar members circumferentially spaced about a common axis, driving means on one end of each of said bar members, means for rotating said bar member driving means, each alternate member of said plurality of bar members being parallel to said common axis and each interdigitating bar member of said plurality being askew to said common axis, adjustable supporting means for said askew bar members at their other ends, said adjustable supporting means being adapted to be rotated to vary the askew angle between the askew bar members and said common axis.

2. A thread advancing reel comprising a plurality of end supported rotating bar members circumferentially spaced about a common axis, means for driving said bar members from one end, means for rotating said bar member driving means, each alternate member of said plurality of bar members being parallel to said common axis and each interdigitating bar member of said plurality being askew to the said common axis, an adjustable supporting means for said askew bar members at the other end of said bar members, said adjustable supporting means being adapted to be rotated to vary the askew angle between the askew bar members and said common axis, and a housing enclosing said bar member driving means.

3. A thread-advancing reel comprising a plurality of end supported bar members rotating about their own axes and circumferentially spaced about a common reel axis, alternate bar members of said plurality being parallel to the reel axis and the remaining alternate bar members being positioned at an askew angle relative to said parallel bar members, means for varying the angularity between the askew positioned bar members and the reel axis, means for driving each of said plurality of bar members, and means for driving the reel.

4. A thread advancing reel comprising, a plurality of circumferentially positioned rotating spaced bar members concentrically mounted for rotation about an axis, an alternate plurality of said bar members being parallel with said axis and the interdigitating plurality of bar members being positioned at an askew angle to said reel axis, end supporting means for said bar members, a sleeve adapted for stationary mounting for.

supporting means for said bar members, driving. means in said end supporting means for said bar members, a sleeve adapted for stationary mounting for supporting said reel, and a shaft extending.

through said sleeve mounting said bar supporting means for rotating said reel.

6. A thread advancing reel comprising, a plu rality of rotating circumferentially positioned spaced bar members concentrically mounted for rotation about an axis, an alternate plurality of said bar members being parallel with said axis, the interdigitating plurality of bar members being positioned at an askew angle to said axis, supporting means at each end for said bar members, said plurality of bar members rotating in said end supporting means, driving means for said bar members in one of said end supporting means, a sleeve for supporting said reel, a shaft for rotating said reel extending through said sleeve and mounting bar end supporting means, the other of said end supporting means adapted to separately support the alternate parallel plurality of bar members and the interdigitating plurality, and the said other end supporting means being angularly adjustable to vary the askev/ angle between the alternate parallel plurality of bar members and the interdigitating askew plurality of bar members.

'7. A thread advancing reel comprising, a plurality of rotating circumferentially positioned spaced bar members concentrically mounted for rotation about an axis, an alternate plurality of said bar members being parallel with said axis, the interdigitating plurality of bar members being positioned at an askew angle to said axis, end supporting means for each end of said bar members, said plurality of bar members rotating in said end supporting means about their individual axes, driving means in said end supporting means for said bar members, a shaft for driving said reel and said driving means in said bar end supporting means, one of said end supporting means being formed of separate sections adapted to separately support the alternate plurality of parallel bar members and the interdigitating plurality of askew bar members, and the said separate sections of the one end supporting means being circularly adjustable relative to each other to vary the askevv angle between the alternate parallel plurality of bar members and the interdigitating askevv plurality of bar members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,920,224 Weaver Aug. 1, 1933 2,302,508 Sordelli Nov. 17, 1942 2,543,031 Kuljian Feb. 27, 1951 2,572,268 Kuljian Oct. 23, 1951 2,574,833 Kuljian Nov. 13, 1951 2,605,536 Litzler Aug. 5, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 233,370 Germany Apr. 7, 1911 290,418 Italy Nov. 18, 1931 539,200 Great Britain Sept. 1, 1941 

